There are many reasons why people may choose to rent rather than own a home. Some renters simply like the idea of living in a temporary place as they are still unsure if they want to settle down there permanently, while others want to avoid the many expenses of home ownership.

However, the major downside to renting is that you’re giving money to your landlord every month – money that you’ll unfortunately never get back and it won’t help you build equity.

In contrast, paying for a mortgage each month may be costly, but will slowly reduce your home loan balance over time. You’ll also get to own the house, which is an incredibly valuable asset nowadays.

If you’re deciding if you should continue renting or if now would be the best time to start owning a home, then you’ve come to the right place. With the way rent continues to increase each year, you might find the latter option is better for you.

Rent Prices Continue to Increase

According to a report by Realtor.com, the official website of the National Association of Realtors – the median rent amount in the 50 biggest metro areas was $1,575 per month. The data suggests that rent amounts rose by 8.1% from the previous year, translating to an extra $118 to pay each month.

Realtor.com also revealed that rent amounts for all unit sizes are currently at an all-time high. Renting a studio apartment increased by 4%, while 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments saw an 8% and 10.2% rise in rent, respectively.

Is Renting Still a Good Idea?

If you aren’t yet sure if you want to settle down, then continuing to rent might be a good idea until you can map out your future a bit more. Many people are still not sure whether they want to move out or stay due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so if you’re not yet ready to make such a permanent move – that’s quite understandable.

However, for those who are interested in acquiring a place they can own – waiting for the lease to expire and looking for a house to buy could be the ideal move. This way, you can start investing your money toward a valuable asset that will have your name in the title.

To help you decide if now would be a good time to buy a home, you should consider the following questions:

• Do I have the money to make a down payment?
• Is my credit score acceptable enough to apply for a mortgage loan?
• Do I have any debt and, if so – how much more can I afford?

It’s important to ask yourself these questions before purchasing a property.

Conclusion

The cost of renting a place to live continues to increase every year, which makes it more and more impractical to continue doing so. If you believe that now is the right time to own a home, then you might consider applying for a mortgage. When you buy a home, you’ll often be able to save money in the long run that would have otherwise been used on rent (which doesn’t provide you with any equity or a long-term investment).

At First Financial, we can help you get pre-approved for a mortgage so you can know right away if owning a home is the right move for you.*

Contact us today with any questions or visit our website to learn more.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Subject to credit approval. Credit worthiness determines your APR. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history and are for qualified borrowers. Your actual APR may vary based on your state of residence, approved loan amount, applicable discounts and your credit history. Higher rates may apply depending on terms of loan and credit worthiness. Available on primary residence only. The Interest Rates, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and fees are based on current market rates, are for informational purposes only. Mortgage insurance may be required depending on loan guidelines. This is not a credit decision or a commitment to lend. If mortgage insurance is required, the mortgage insurance premium could increase the APR and the monthly mortgage payment. See Credit Union for details. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Mortgage and is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.